INTA SIVA

Lore & Background

The program was launched in 1988 when the Spanish government began experimenting with a national program to develop a tactical UAV surveillance system for its armed forces. The main objective was to fully develop an unmanned air component for the army, especially in reconnaissance and observation roles, freeing manned assets for more cost-effective roles and integrating aerial elements into ground units. The project involved both public and private institutions to boost the Spanish industrial base and know-how. The program culminated in 2006 with four units produced, along with its ground control segment and a pneumatic launcher. In 2013, SIVA was equipped with a fully automated take-off and landing system, allowing fully autonomous flights and freeing operators to focus on mission planning and decision making.

The UAV is made of high-performance FAR 23 compliant carbon fiber. It can be launched conventionally using a fixed tricycle landing gear from a flat surface, or with a pneumatic launcher. For recovery, it can land using the same landing gear or via a drogue parachute and several airbags. Its ground segment can be contained in a NATO II shelter with three posts for planning, monitoring, and controlling aircraft and sensors, and can send information to a tactical center via satellite. The whole system can be transported in three cross-country capable Iveco M-250 trucks.

Operators include the Spanish Army's Regimiento de Artillería de Campaña nº 63 since 2006, and the Spanish Air and Space Force's Unmanned Aerial Systems School since 2012. The first units were formally received on 20 September 2006 in Torrejón de Ardoz, with 26 officers and sub-officers certified after an 11-month course. Testing began in February 2007 in San Gregorio, Zaragoza, evaluating roles in search and rescue, fire suppression, and hostage situations, as well as nocturnal flight. The aircraft was publicly presented in the military parade of the National Day of Spain 2007. The first units were integrated into the Grupo de Artillería de Información y Localización de Objetivos III (GAIL) of the 63rd Field Artillery Regiment for spotting and target correction. In 2012, some units were transferred to the Air Force for UAV training. Between 22 and 26 April 2013, the SIVA completed the first fully automated flight in an exercise at the base 'Conde de Gazola' in San Andrés del Rabanedo, the first of its kind since a legal framework for fully autonomous flights was established in Spain in 2012. On 3 June 2016, a SIVA belonging to INTA and based in Matacán suffered an accident that forced deployment of its recovery parachute, safely landing in Calvarrasa de Abajo with minimal damage.

Reader's Guide

The INTA SIVA represents Spain's first fully developed tactical UAV system under a national program launched in 1988, culminating in 2006 with four units. Its significance lies in providing the Spanish Army with an unmanned reconnaissance and observation capability, freeing manned assets for other roles. The system's 2013 upgrade to fully automated take-off and landing marked a milestone as the first such flight under Spain's 2012 legal framework for autonomous flights. The SIVA's legacy includes its operational use by both the Spanish Army and Air Force, with the latter employing it for UAV training. The program also fostered collaboration between public and private institutions to boost Spain's industrial base. A successor, the INTA Milano, has been under development since 2013, projected to have increased payload capacity and the ability to carry a Synthetic Aperture Radar and weapons.

Did You Know?

• The SIVA program was launched in 1988 and culminated in 2006 with four units produced.
• The UAV is made of FAR 23 compliant carbon fiber and can be recovered using a drogue parachute and airbags.
• The first fully automated flight occurred between 22 and 26 April 2013 at the base 'Conde de Gazola' in San Andrés del Rabanedo.